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I would like to hear from others who are taking Atripla...Would like to hear all thoughts on it..good/ bad..Also does anyone know what APO SULFATRIM is prescribed for?..I was diagnosed poz last Jan (2009)..my doc is good, but seems very casual about HIV (he specializes in this area)...he wanted me on meds about a year ago..and I was like..no , let's just wait and see..a month ago he prescribed me what I mentioned above..the Atripla I still have not touched...I live in Montreal, near the gay village..I have seen many HIV guys walking around like walking zombies and looking like they are the living dead..I hate what certain medications do to guys..It is unforgiving..I know guys who have gone off of meds at they say they can't deal with how they feel..others say, they feel amazing..I take care of myself..don't smoke..drink...get my rest..try to eat well....have not even had sex in about 2 years as I don't want any bacteria from others invading my system (if this makes any sense..I stopped having sex before I knew I was poz..as believe it or not, I got bored of men and sex...still do lots of stroking though ;-)....I have heard the Atripla is a good med..but I am still not convinced..of course, when it all comes down to it, and someone poses the question..do you want to live or die? hell yeah, we all want to live..but I am still uncertain about the meds..what they do to you in the long run...will they mess up my liver...will the fat from my face start deteriorating (my doc says if that happens, it can't be changed)..Part of me is like take the meds..but my inner voice keeps saying give it time..but maybe there is no time..i have not lost any weight as of yet...still have a good appetite...i keep physically active and push myself to limits to see how much i can do...i want any and all opinionsthanks for your time

Atripla is an excellent med and most people only suffer very minor side effects in the first few weeks of treatment like dizziness, vivid dreams . You wont lose face fat on atripla. Another med becoming very popular with almost no side effects is isentress.

This is the equivalent of Bactrim, in the United States. It is an Antibiotic, used to help fight off possible infections, including PCP ( pneumonia) If your t-cells are below 200, you should be on it, and follow the dosing to the letter.

I've been on atripla since mid-Sept last year and after about 4 weeks of getting used to it, I have to say it is a great drug. I'm just fine and have zero side effects. I take it in the morning with or without food - it doesn't matter. 1 pill a day, gee, anyone should be able to do this.

Go for it. Stick with it. You will be better for it. HIV will fade into the backgound of your life.

Another one here with no side-effects after the first month. The psychological issue of taking a pill every day at the same time was the only thing that really bugged me. Finally just set a permanent alarm on my phone so it rings at the same time every day.

Even than the side effects where feeling a little drunk after taking it and vivid dreams.

Well I've been on Atripla for 3 months now and can't say I have suffered from any bad side affects, the first few weeks I had a funny sensation in my joints but apart fromthat it's been all good. The hardest thing I've found is remembering to take them every night, LOL!

I've been on Atripla just shy of a year. My first numbers after diagnosis dictated immediately starting meds, so I had no chance to stop and think about it. I feel better now than ever. Numbers in my signature should show you the progress I've seen. THe only negative side effects were for the first few nights I had weird dreams, but now it's like nothing. No zombie-like look from me, no face fat loss, in fact, if anything I've gained a little weight.

Cost aside, great med. One pill, once a day. Minimal side effects with a 95% effectiveness rate. I started it on Dec. 8th, 2009. At the time my CD4 count was 333 and VL was 48,000. In February I had my first set of comparison labs done. I had expectations, to me, "lower VL and higher CD4" was all I cared about. My results? VL = Non-detectable. CD4 went up to 433.

Now...everyone is different, do not expect these results. My VL was not that bad, by CD4 was low but not horrible. Just concentrate on lower VL / higher CD4. Also remember CD4's can swing on any given day. Most doc's look at the entire picture, but the one thing they want to see is the VL going down.

Side effects - few. Vivid dreams, (not nightmares, just weird sometimes fun...) I had diarrhea for about a week, maybe less. Other than that, nothing else. I find taking it at bedtime works best for me. I usually eat around six or seven and go to bed about eleven or so. My stomach may not be completely empty, but I've let some time go by. I think this really only helps the dreams, but I could be wrong.

Take advantage of any offers you get to save money on the co-pay. Your insurance may ask you to fill this through another source. I have United Health and had two refills of this at CVS. On refill #3 I had a note that I had to get it filled through Medco, a mail order deal. They cut out the middle man. Don't panic if this happens, they're not cutting you off, just sending you on a less expensive route. If you run into ANY problems on a refill call your Dr. immediately. My doc keeps samples and scripts returned from other patients on hand. This helped me out a couple of times when my refills didn't come in time.

If you skip one dose but are within twelve hours of your next dose, don't panic, just wait and take it at your normal time. Taking too much too soon, (doubling up) can cause muscle spasms and even weirder dreams.

If you can't tolerate on an empty stomach, keep some crackers on hand, eat something light. I just think right before bedtime is a good idea for me, it's now just like brushing my teeth.

Another guy had some good advice I did take. Put one in your wallet and two in your car. You never know if you can't get home you'll at least have those.

My advice for what it's worth- best of luck. Keep us posted with your results.

In my opinion, the start of Atripla was a great choice. After the initial minor side effects for a couple of weeks, it is like taking a daily vitamine. When I received my bloodwork and was an undetectable VL after just a few months on the medication, it made me feel even better. Good luck with you're decision. I am happy with mine. David

I started Atripla almost 2 years ago and aside from the first few weeks I have had NO side effects. Since starting meds I started going to the gym 6 days a week, I've lost 20 lbs and feel better than ever.

I live in Montreal, near the gay village..I have seen many HIV guys walking around like walking zombies and looking like they are the living dead..I hate what certain medications do to guys..It is unforgiving..

Gosh, I would hate to think that in time I will be walking through town looking like a zombie LOL, but all kidding aside, I started Atripla recently and after a few minor side effects which went away quickly, I feel better every day. Not sure if it's from the VL reducing, or reconstruction of CD4? I don't think so as it has not been very long on the med.

Not sure what you're counts are, but if you're doc has perscribed Bactrim, it sounds like you really do not have a choice.

I started taking Atripla in November 2008 and I can honestly say, I wished I had started a lot sooner. I have not had one side effect from the medication. I take my dose faithfully every night at 9:45 p.m. A word of advice: Just follow your doctor's advice, take your meds, get plenty of rest and live a stress-free life and you will be just fine.

Atripla may be a miracle drug but i cant stand it!!! I'm on day 7 and its not like i have a ton of side effects but its just the way it effects the CNS.... after i take it i have to be in bed within an hour tops or i feel dizzy drunkand foggy, its too annoying! I need something where i can function better on esp since i work nights....i wish i didnt have to take meds at all but thats another story.

I'm on day 7 and its not like i have a ton of side effects but its just the way it effects the CNS

many people claim the side effects last two weeks or less, so it might be taking you a little longer to adjust. If you don't have relief soon, you should read how other people tried compensating for this side effect, or talk to you doctor about switching to another regimen.

Logged

leatherman (aka mIkIE)

All the stars are flashing high above the seaand the party is on fire around you and meWe're gonna burn this disco down before the morning comes- Pet Shop Boys chart from 1992-2015Isentress/Prezcobix

many people claim the side effects last two weeks or less, so it might be taking you a little longer to adjust. If you don't have relief soon, you should read how other people tried compensating for this side effect, or talk to you doctor about switching to another regimen.

It's the rash that lasts 2 weeks, the side effects in my experience slowly diminished over time, although in the first week there was a dramatic decrease in the intensity of them.

It's the rash that lasts 2 weeks, the side effects in my experience slowly diminished over time, although in the first week there was a dramatic decrease in the intensity of them.

Having NOT taken Atripla, I glanced through this thread and most people said within a few weeks their CNS issues were diminished or gone. I took Sustiva back in the early 90s and NINE months later I was still dizzy, fuzzy, and disorientated all day, nearly every day. I only continued on that med that long because there was nothing else for me to take and being screwed up every day, losing my job and unable to drive was better than dying.

I'm a firm believer that you have got to try at least a couple weeks to adapt to a med; but in the worse case scenario, there are plenty of other choices than Atripla nowadays. I just wanted keegan to not give up too early and also to know he's got plenty of options

I would have to suggest that the Atripla is working like mad to knock down that huge viral load, and it's no wonder he's still having some side effects. There's probably a big change happening in his system during the past 7 days and he should probably let the med do it's thing rather than already giving up on it while it's probably working.